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Monday Memo
Monday Memo
May 12, 2008
CHANGE
Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. ---John F. Kennedy
PLANNINGIn preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable. ----Dwight D. Eisenhower REMINDER:
Please be thinking of our May nomination. We will be handing out 1 more Margareta glass.
The May deadline is May 15th.
Remember, this person goes ABOVE and BEYOND their daily job.
(posted 5-12-08)
STEPS... What are your steps in moving forward with ESU 4? What shoes are you wearing today? Who deserves the glass? Just a small reminder of Friday's discussion... Step Out!!!
(reposted 4-21-08)
Our Annual "End of the Year Celebration"... is set for May 22nd at Arbor Manor. Don't forget to return your sign-up sheet to Kathy Taylor by May 19th!!
(posted 5-5-08, re-posted 5-12-08)
Some thoughts from "You're Going to Love This Kid" by Paula Kluth... we have a little learning team reading this book here on our ESU 4 staff and they read Chapter 3 for today. This chapter is about the Role of the Teacher, including attitudes, values and actions. This is an excellent chapter that I will be sharing with the ENTIRE ESU 4 staff in August, however, there is just one thought I want everyone to consider as the year winds down... "There is NO room for pessimism in education. The best lessons, curricular adaptations, and teaching strategies are useless if a teacher does not expect the learner to achieve..." This little tidbit applies to all of us. If we don't expect our students to do well, then I wonder why we are in education??? Just a thought... (posted 5-5-08 EJS)
End of year information and reports are out. If you have questions, let me know.
(posted 4-21-08, reposted 4-28-08, updated 5-12-08)
IMAGINATIONImagination is the beginning of creating.You imagine what you desire,you will what you imagineand at last you create what you will. ---- George Bernard Shaw
WIG!!! (Wildly Important Goal) -
THE YEAR IS COMING TO AN END....HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DOING??1. During the 2007-2008 school year, I will listen intently and communicate by giving accurate, timely, and factual information in a positive manner to achieve a professional relationship to at least one person daily as this will be measured by feedback through emails and other documentation.
NOTE: This goal is measured by you!! You are assessing your self and your activities.
(posted 4-21-08, re-posted 5-12-08)
STAFF EVALUATION SEASON!!
Take Note!
As the year winds down, I will be popping in and winding up the year's evaluation process. I might give you a day's warning, but don't be surprised if I just walk in. I don't want you to spend a lot of time preparing for me; I just want to see what happens in your classrooms or programs on a daily basis. I will also take the opportunity to evaluate you in other settings....IEP/MDT meetings, conferences that we are both attending, reports from districts, etc. And finally, I will be releasing my annual survey on district satisfaction concerning special education services from ESU 4. District personnel will be asked to identify their satisfaction in ALL ESU staff, as well as staff development opportunities. You will have access to the survey as well. I will be seeing you along the way!P.S. - we will be completing our annual 'end of the year' conversations as well. More information on our chats will be out soon.EJS (re-posted 5-12--08)
A Reminder from Catrina:
When you call in ill or because your child is ill, please give a brief list of symptoms.
Symptoms we are watching for are fevers, body aches, coughs, fatigue, stomach concerns (we don't have to know if it's vomiting or diarrhea, you can simply list stomach issues).
We are still being told that at some point we will be faced with Pandemic Flu and this is an attempt to track tends to keep everyone away from a possible Pandemic.
Thanks and stay healthy!! (posted 1-28-08)
RISK
If you don't risk anything
you risk even more!
---Erica Jong
PROBLEMS... It's that time of year and most of what we see, we perceive as 'problems.' We've been through a lot of different things the last few weeks... in actuality, none of them have been 'problems.' We have had no control over any of the situations, so rather than being problems, they are 'predicaments.' Temporary situations about which we can do nothing, except for to deal with it and move on. That all being said... we do have some 'problems' that come our way on a frequent basis. We can see them as mountains that are immobile... and often times, a little perspective will move that mountain to the mole hill that it really is. Maybe this will help you see problems in a new light:
P - predictors: helping to mold our future
R - reminders: showing us that we cannot succeed alone
O - opportunities: pulling us out of ruts and prompting us to think creatively
B - blessings: opening doors we would otherwise not go through
L - lessons: providing instruction with each new challenge
E - everywhere: telling us that no one is excluded from difficulties
M - messages: warning us about potential disaster
S - solvable: reminding us that each problems has a solution... often times there is more than just one
Spring will soon be here... I promise. That will change our perspective. Spring will open our creative juices. Spring will not solve the problems; however, spring will help us in seeing that our problems are 'solvable.' Spend your efforts on solving the problems, not tackling the predicaments. It's like teaching a pig to sing... it only frustrates you and the pig still won't be able to sing. Be wise... be well... be strong! (written in shades of gray... 2/25/08 - EJS)
MOMENTS
Love the moment,
and the energy of that moment
will spread beyond all boundaries.
---Corita Kent
The Fred Factor... Just a note that the Fred Books are making their rounds to new staff. We invite you to relax and spend an evening with this quick-reading book! It will explain our thoughts about being a "Freducational" Service Unit! If you'd like to re-read Fred, let Holly or me know and we'll put you on the list. And as always, I'd love to hear about any "Fred Sightings"... this is a chance to brag on our ESU 4 heroes. Will I master change, or will change master me?
by Dick Biggs
Life's turning points are as sure as the tide
Just a matter of when, so why not decided?
To embrace these transitions as ways to grow
'Tis folly to ignore what you already know.
Make a vow to adapt to the crises of life
There's no reason to suffer more stress or strife.
Quite often change becomes a blessing in time
While making you wiser in pursuit of your prime.
No change is impossible, no one is exempt
You can step out in faith or shrug with contempt.
Life comes in cycles, no two are the same
To claim nothing's new is a naive game.
Some change is impractical, some things must endure
You need worthwhile values, so profound and pure.
Plus a noble purpose to guide you each day
And give life meaning as you forge your way.
But most things do change, it's a natural law
You can believe this is truth of stand there in awe.
It may be uncomfortable, it may cause pain---
Won't a regretful heart be a greater strain?
With every change, there's an outcome to bear
So accept the challenge, for life's seldom fair.
Be willing to risk and you're bound to find
More courage and strength from a positive mind.
Be bold, be daring, be receptive to change
For most things are better when you rearrange.
Get out of the rut, seek a new vitality
Move beyond the old to a fresh reality.
Ah, life has turning points, they won't disappear
Rise up to greet them and conquer your fear.
The choice is simple, it's as clear as can be:
Will I master change or will change master me?
HUSKER NATION:
It is important to continue to wear our RED. How 'bout those HUSKERS?!?
Congrats to the Husker Baseball team for an awesome weekend!!
Go BIG RED! GO Big RED! GO BIG Red! GO BIG RED
ACT. GO. DO.
Educational Service Unit #4, Auburn,
Nebraska
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